Development Associate, Embrace Boston

The MA Alliance for Early College featured BHCC alumna Melanie Sola in their newsletter this fall.

Sola graduated from Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in 2020, where she participated in the Early College program. Sola was the first Boston Public School student to graduate high school and earn an associate degree at the same time through the BHCC Early College program. This propelled her to Northeastern University, where she recently graduated with a Business Administration and Brand Management degree. 

Sola shared her Early College journey which started in her freshman year of high school when she took an Early College course with BHCC. She loved it so much that by sophomore year, she was taking full classes at BHCC. She worked to get as many credits as she could so that by the time she graduated high school, she also received an associate degree from Bunker Hill.

Early College offered Sola the opportunity to take more challenging classes, while potentially cutting the cost of her education in half. “As a first generation student, I pursued Early College with that mindset,” she said. “The Early College team at Bunker Hill that were there at the time were more than willing to help me as well. They provided me with textbooks, and if I needed guidance to find my classes—anything I absolutely needed, they were there to support me.”

Early College encouraged Sola to hone in on her time management skills. “I learned that I am very much capable of doing these classes,” she said. “I had a path in mind, but Early College helped me understand what I needed from a university for my undergrad.” 

EDP Systems Analyst IV, Technology Support Services, Information Services

For nearly 30 years, Laura Boucher has been essential to BHCC’s technological transformation. A proud graduate, she holds Associate of Science degrees in applications and programming.

Boucher originally wanted to work in childcare. While her path took a different turn, her innate passion for helping others shines through in her current role. 

“What don’t I do?” she laughed when asked about her work in the Technology Support Services office. From providing vital computer support to coordinating technology setups for new campus buildings, Boucher ensures that BHCC’s technological infrastructure runs smoothly. 

Boucher’s career began during an era of “dumb terminals”—basic devices for accessing mainframe computers. The 1990s brought significant changes, as the college transitioned to more advanced systems. Today, technology at BHCC is largely cloud-based, a shift Boucher has helped navigate by continuously staying updated on industry developments. 

“I stay curious—reading articles, asking questions, and being careful not to mess anything up,” she said.

Boucher’s workdays often start before sunrise, when she tackles work orders, supports campus-wide technology needs, and manages rebuild projects like the recent E-Building renovation. Her long tenure has helped her foster trust and rapport with colleagues. These connections allow her to quickly address issues and ensure the smooth delivery of services to students and staff, pointing them in the right direction and easing frustrations. 

“When you can answer a question and make someone’s experience better, especially for adult learners, it’s so important,” she said.

A longtime member of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union, Boucher steps in as needed to keep members informed and to ensure continuity. A true backbone of union communication, Boucher’s calming demeanor in stressful situations has been invaluable. Known for her steady support, Boucher efficiently finds solutions and provides calm leadership in stressful situations.

For Boucher, the most rewarding part of her job is meeting students from all walks of life and helping them succeed. “I love meeting people from different backgrounds and seeing how appreciative they are when you help them. It’s even more meaningful when they remember you later on.”

Boucher’s dedication and adaptability keeps BHCC at the forefront of educational technology while fostering a welcoming community for all who enter its doors.

Professor & Chairperson, Performing Arts Department

This fall, Performing Arts Professor and Chairperson Mark Popeney stepped beyond the classroom and into the world of podcasting. His new podcast series, appropriately called Nevermind the Music, brings music and psychology to life.

Popeney developed the podcast during his sabbatical leave last spring, during which he dove deep into exploring the intersection of popular music and the human mind. While its core focus lies in dissecting popular music, its direction is far more ambitious. Each episode discusses one hit song and what its musical characteristics tell us about the human mind and pop culture in general.

A composer, performer and producer, Popeney has taught music at BHCC since 2015 and currently serves as the chairperson of the College’s Performing Arts Department. His teaching specialty is music theory for the 21st-century musician, and he also leads the College’s Popular Music Ensemble in performing a variety of modern popular music, including rock, R&B, pop, hip hop and country.

Popeney created the podcast in collaboration with his colleague and friend Nichole Vatcher, a psychology professor at Suffolk University who has taught behavioral sciences courses at BHCC. Vatcher brings her knowledge of human behavior and the mind into every conversation. The result is an engaging, often humorous dialogue between two friends who take listeners on a fascinating journey through melodies and mindsets.

“I knew I wanted to make a podcast about songwriting, but bringing Nichole’s knowledge into
it is what gave us our identity,” said Popeney. “We treat it like a fun conversation between two friends who just happen to be experts in their very different fields.”

Nevermind the Music launched in September and is delivered weekly for music lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and psychology buffs. The series is available on multiple platforms, with Apple Podcasts and Spotify being the primary outlets.